Improvement in frames for open-work signs and banners



E, F.- SOUTHWAR'DV Fram for Open work, Signs and Banners.

[$10,162,203 PatentedApri|20,.875.

WITNESSES I m I W W/W.

I Attorney 3 THE GRAPHIC COJH OT0.-LlTH.39 841 PARK PLACE, NY.

ELI F. SOUTHWARD, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT IN FRAMES FOR OPEN-WORK SIGNS AND BANNERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 162,203, dated April20, 1875 application filed March 20, 1875.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ELI F. SOUTHWARD, ofBoston, in the State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and usefulFrame for Open- Work Signs and Banners; and I do hereby declare thefollowing to be a full and correct description of the same, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a sideelevation of my improved jointed frame for signs. Fig. 2 is a similarelevation of another form of said frame.

The same letter marks the same part in both the figures.

Letters Patent N 0. 77,695 were granted to Simon ing and myself May 5,1868, for an improvement in signs and banners, which consisted in makingthe ground of signs or banners of an open-work or net-work of twine,thread, silk, cord, wire, or other material that will allow the freepassage of air. Signs and banners made under that patent have been veryextensively introduced, and are now in constant demand. They wereoriginally unprovided with supporting frame-work, and it was soon founddesirable to add such a frame, as when the frame was used the signs wereentire] y free from flapping, and made a much better display of theirinscriptions; but, on the other hand, when large signs had to be shippedto distant points, it was found that a frame made in the ordinary mannerwas inconvenient to pack and transport. The object of my presentinvention is to provide a frame which shall, when inserted, afford anample support to the sign, and which can-be readily withdrawn, takenapart, and packed for transportation when required.

The nature of my invention consists in making a frame-work for net oropen work signs of metallic tubes having right and left screw threadscut on their ends, and held together by threaded angle-couplings ofvarious forms, said tubes being strengthened, when required, by rodspassed through them, and fastened by heads and screw-nuts, the signbeing attached to the fram e by means of rings or ferrules hung to theedges of the net-work, and strung upon the exterior tubing, all ashereinafter more particularly set forth.

In the drawings, A marks the network of the sign B B, horizontal and D Dvertical joints of tubing, forming the frame. For these I usually employcommon gas-pipe, galvanized; but, where the sign is small and in asituation to be closely inspected, I sometimes use brass tubing,silvered or nickel-plated. These tubes have right and left handscrew-threads out upon their ends, so as to enable them, by turning inone direction, to be united by the angle or union couplings E T G, whichare threaded to receive their ends. At the corners of the sign I use theelbow-couplingsE or the T-couplin gs, as preferred. Where branches areto be inserted I employ the T-couplings, and where four tubes meet, asin Fig. 2, I adopt the cross-coupling O. A simple union-coupling Wouldbe used where a mere lengthening of the tube is required. The threads inthese couplings are cut to correspond with those on the ends of thetubes which they are respectively intended to receive. When extrastrength is required I run through the couplings and tubing arod, R,having a head, H, on oneend, and receiving a nut, N, on a screw-threadat the other. The net-work is provided at its edges with rings orferrules F, which receive the outside tubes of the frame, and form theconnection between the sign and the frame. They turn loosely in thenet-work and on the tubes. Where great strength is required, as in roofand fixed projectin g signs, I provide the frame with interior braces,as shown at J Kin Fig. 2. The inner ends of these braces are screwedinto the crosscoupling 0. Holes G are made in the tubes for thereception of a rod or lever, by which the tube may be turned whenscrewing the parts of the frame together. The ordinary gasfitters tongsmay also be used for this purpose.

The frame herein described can be readily put together and taken apart,and its parts can be made of convenient lengths for packing andtransportation. The net-work is packed and transported in a separateroll, and is readily strung upon the tubes by means of the rings. Theserings, being loosely attached to the network, relieve it ofany tendencyto break at the edges.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

In combination with a, network sign or signed and witnessed, atBoston,this 18th day banner, provided on its edges with rings or ofMarch, A. D. 1875. ferrules, a j ointed frame formed of metallic tubingwith threaded ends, united by screw-coup- ELI F. SO UTHWARD. lings,substantially in the manner and for the Witnesses: purpose described. E.S. MOTTE,

The above specification of my said invention JAMES SGHOULER.

